Stringed instrument tuner



y 1940. E. HARVEY 2,201,536

STRINGED INSTRUMENT TUNER File d Feb. 18, 1939 Ellison flai qy @ttmaq Patented May 21, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in stringed instrument tuners, and particularly to a device of this character intended and adapted for use with a Hawaiian or other guitar, or with substantially any and all stringed instruments with which the pitch or tone of a string is varied, as by tightening or loosening the tension upon the string.

An object of my invention is to provide a de vice of this character capable of use with a stringed instrument to change the pitch of one or more strings, while the instrument is being played.

A further object is to provide manual operating means by which the parts can be actuated to release the tension upon a spring, whereby to lower the pitch, say a half tone or a full tone or any desired amount, without the necessity for manual or other manipulation of the tuning keys or usual tuning means.

Still another object is to so construct the parts that the particular string having my invention applied to or used therewith can be tuned in the usual manner, and can be minutely tuned through employment of means forming a part of my invention, and with which the parts are held in position to maintain the tuned pitch, except when the parts of my invention are actuated with a purpose and desire to change the pitch.

Still another object is to provide structure of this character so constructed that it can be embodied or built into an instrument or can be made as an attachment to be applied by an individual user, and which will permit the instrument to be held and played in the usual mannor, with the pitch and tone and intonations of usual normal character, except when the pitch change structure of my device is operated, as for instance by movement of a foot of the player to actuate the pitch controlling parts.

With the above and other objects in view, some of which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and others of which are inherent in the construction and use of the device, my invention includes certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements and associations of parts which will be hereinafter set forth in connection with the drawing and then pointed out in the claims:

In the drawing:

Figure l is a view in perspective showing a guitar having my invention applied to and embodied therewith.

.Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the main structure and features of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a'fragmentary sectional view to better disclose the string holding means.

In the showing in Figure 1 I have illustrated my invention as applied to and used in connection with a single-string of a guitar, and the invention will be thus described although it is to be understood that the device and the parts thereof can be made in multiple units, for attachment to or use with two or more strings, thereby enabling the player to change or alter the pitch of as many strings as he may choose, such alteration or change being selectively and manually within the complete control of the player and being capable of accomplishment by the use of the foot and without necessity for employment of the hands in any operation or manipulation of the usual tuning means or keys.

The supporting base I is here shown as a substantially flat rectangular plate, although this plate or supporting structure can be made of any desired shape and construction and material, to suit different requirements of use. In the present instance I have illustrated the sup-. porting base portion 1 as mounted on the upper side or top A of the body of the guitar beyond the bridge B. The supporting base member I can be secured adhesively, or by any suitable fastenings, to be held and retained substantially rigidly in place, and if desired openings 2 can be provided to receive fastenings.

The supporting base member is here shown as being of elongated substantially rectangular form, such form being perhaps most convenient for the adaptation presently illustrated, and adjacent to one end the supporting base member has the bearing portions 3 and 4 which mount a shaft 5 for oscillatory or partial rotational movement. The shaft 5 has prongs 6 thereon separated sufiiciently to receive and hold the knotted end of a string. These prongs 6 are preferably located to depend below the shaft 5, and an actuating lever or arm 1 is secured to the shaft 5 to extend substantially radially laterally therefrom. A guide post 8 carried by the supporting base member I at a point spaced from the posi-- tion of mounting of the shaft 5 is provided with a slotted opening 9 through which the outer end of the actuating lever or arm Textends. In this location of the lever or arm I, swinging or oscillatory movement is limited or confined within the limits of the height of the slot 9, and the arm 1 is guided and held against lateral swinging movement. A spring I0 is provided around the guide post 8 to bear resiliently against the under side of the actuating lever or arm I to thus normally urge the outer end of this lever or arm to its full uppermost position, and a tuning screw l I is provided to be turned into a suitably threaded recess formed in the upper end of the guide post 8 to thus allow adjustment and limitation of the upward swinging movement of the lever or arm I, under impetus of spring H). An operating cord or wire 42 is connected with go the outer end of the lever or arm I and is provided at its free end with a loop or stirrup l3 through which the foot may be inserted in such manner that the foot can be used to accomplish downward drawing force upon the cord or wire If to swing arm I downwardly against the pressure of spring Iii, thus rocking or oscillating the shaft 5 in substantially clockwise direction. If desired, an opening M can be provided through the base member i to guide movement of the cord or wire l2, and any suitable guide formation or structure may be employed.

As perhaps best shown in Fig. 3, the particular string C has its end knotted and caught between the prongs 6 on the under side of the shaft 5. As the spring Ii] bearing upon the under side of the arm or lever i normally exerts force tending to rotate or oscillate shaft 5 in a counterclockwise direction, the prongs 5 under ordinary conditions form or constitute a more or less fixed or removable anchorage for the string C and this string can be tuned in the usual manner, by the tuning keys forming a part of the guitar or other stringed instrument. Further, the tuning of this {v particular string C can be accomplished through manipulation of tuning screw Ii.

With the parts constructed and mounted as above set forth, the guitar or other musical instrument can be held upon the knees, or in the lap, and can be played in the usual manner. The player can insert his foot through the loop or stirrup l3 and by slight movement of the foot while holding the instrument on the knees or in the lap, the player can draw or swing the outer end of the arm or lever l downwardly against the resilient force of spring ill to oscillate shaft 5 in a clockwise direction, thus moving the prongs 6 a distance sufficient to slightly release the tension on the string C, thereby lowering the tone or pitch a half tone, or more as may be desired. When the force exerted upon the cord or wire i2 is released, spring in will immediately return the lever or arm 7 to its upwardly swung position, in consequence of which the particular string C is again restored to its natural tone or pitch.

If desired, a foot pedal, or other means, may be employed in lieu of the loop or stirrup l3, and as such foot pedal structures and other expedients through which the necessary pull on the cord or wire 12 can be accomplished are old and well known in many arts, no attempt is here made to illustrate or to set forth all possible adaptations.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided a device for changing the pitch of one or more strings of a Hawaiian or other guitar, or in fact substantially any stringed instrument, by lowering the tone or pitch of such string or strings, and with which the strings are returned to their original tension automatically when the manual force is released, and with which perfect tone and intonation are assured, as the strings are not pulled up or stretched out beyond the tone for which they are originally tuned. Further, it will be seen that my invention is of such construction that it can be made and used in multiple units, or a plurality of the devices can be employed, thus permitting the player to selectively alter the tone or pitch of as many strings as he may choose.

While I have herein shown and described only certain specific embodiments of my invention and have set forth only certain possible modifications and changes in the adaptation or use, it will be appreciated that many changes and variations can be made in the form and construction, and mounting and association, and in the manner of use and operation of the parts, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A pitch changer for stringed musical instruments comprising, a supporting structure, a shaft rockably mounted on said supporting structure, prongs extending laterally from said shaft adapted to receive and anchor one end of a tuned string, an .arm extending laterally from said shaft, and foot actuated means connected to swing said arm and rock said shaft and consequently move the prongs and thereby release the tension on the tuned string whereby the pitch is lowered.

2. A pitch changer for stringed musical inu struments comprising, a supporting structure, a shaft rockably mounted on said supporting structure, prongs extending laterally from said shaft adapted to receive and anchor one end of a tuned string, an arm extending laterally from said shaft, foot actuated means connected to swing said arm and rock said shaft and consequently move the prongs and thereby release the tension on the tuned string whereby the pitch is lowered, and spring means normally resiliently moving said arm in opposite direction to rock the shaft to a position to attain and retain the tuned pitch of the string.

3. A pitch changing device for stringed musical instruments comprising, a supporting structure adapted to be mounted on a stringed musical instrument, a shaft rockably mounted on said supporting structure, prongs extending laterally from said shaft adapted to receive and anchor one endof a tuned string, an arm fixed on and extending laterally from said shaft, a guide post carried by the supporting structure spaced from said shaft and provided with a slotted opening through which said arm is swingably received, a spring normally urging the swinging end of said arm upwardly, and foot actuatable means connected with said arm to swing the arm downwardly against the force of said spring and consequently rock the shaft.

4. A pitch changing device for stringed musical instruments comprising, a supporting structure adapted to be mounted on a stringed musical instrument, a shaft rockably mounted on said supporting structure, prongs extending laterally from said shaft adapted to receive and anchor one end of a tuned string, an arm fixed on and extending laterally from said shaft, a guide post carried by the supporting structure spaced from said shaft and provided with a slotted opening through which the outer portion of said arm is swingably received, a spring mounted around the post and normally urging said arm upwardly to a position to attain and maintain desired tuning tension on the string anchored by the prongs, foot actuatable means connected with said arm to swing the arm against the force of said spring and consequently rock the shaft in a direction to release the tension on the tuned string and consequently lower the tone thereof, and an adjusting screw carried by said post to limit upward swinging movement of the arm under the force of the spring.

ELLISON HARVEY. 

